Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2577: 1420: Dialogue Deep Within the Grand Hall (Part 2)

The specific location Leo Ray selected for his meeting with the White Knight was chosen entirely to address the concerns Ariel Watson had raised earlier.

Previously, it had been confirmed that a successful reappearance could be achieved through the Lion King Temple. This meant that even if a conflict erupted with the "Corrosion" inhabiting the White Knight's body and it was destroyed, the White Knight could be revived through the temple without truly perishing.

“Sarah Shawn, is the Secret Spell prepared?”

Leo Ray shifted his attention to the former Chief Priest of the Illusion Spirit Race to confirm.

“My Lord, every detail has been meticulously arranged. Should any mishap occur, I can immediately safeguard the White Knight’s life essence and remap it via the Lion King Temple.”

Sarah Shawn placed a hand over her heart and bowed respectfully to Leo Ray, her expression radiating fervor and dedication.

Because she had been restricted from entering the Outer Region, she had missed the opportunity to fight by Leo Ray’s side for some time. Now that she could once again serve his cause, she valued the task immensely.

“Very well, let us begin.”

Taking a deep breath, Leo Ray activated Mind Talk to signal Crisis, who was stationed outside: “You may escort the White Knight inside now.”

As a precaution, Leo Ray had positioned a contingent of elite tree fairies around the Lion King Temple. Since Crisis had been brought to heel, the tree fairies were now completely under Leo Ray’s command.

“Understood, My Lord!”

Crisis’s sharp, firm reply echoed back through the Mind Talk connection.

Moments later, the sound of rhythmic footsteps reached the hall entrance. The White Knight entered, flanked by Gideon Black, Dazhuang, Sarah Shawn, Yoyo, and Crisis.

Aside from Crisis, both Gideon Black and Sarah Shawn were present as holders of the Stone of God, granting them the power to withstand "Corrosion." Their inclusion in the group was a calculated move.

Having been briefed by Leo Ray beforehand, the White Knight was fully aware of the necessity of these measures.

He arrived without his signature white armor, carrying no weapons or Storage Space items. Instead, he wore simple knight’s garb and a metal mask that obscured his features.

These precautions were requested by the White Knight himself. Following their initial contact over a thousand years ago, he had experienced no further communication or strange behavior from the suspected "Corrosion."

However, since "Corrosion" clearly had the potential to seize control of its host, this was the safest way to ensure Leo Ray remained protected.

“This humble servant offers his respects to Your Majesty!”

Upon reaching the center of the room, the White Knight dropped to one knee in a respectful salute.

“White Knight, please, stand up.”

Leo Ray gave a small nod, then looked at his assembled allies with a faint, apologetic smile. “I apologize, White Knight. We have fought as brothers-in-arms for a long time, and this is hardly the proper way to welcome a comrade. Given the gravity of the situation, I trust you understand.”

“Your Majesty’s kind words are more than I deserve. It is only by Your Majesty’s favor that I continue to fight for you and the Human Clan. I could never take offense.”

The White Knight’s tone was heavy with sincerity as he nodded firmly. “If I should display any erratic behavior, I implore Your Majesty not to hesitate!”

“I promise you, even if things go wrong, as long as I am standing, you will not meet your end here.”

Leo Ray’s eyes were steady and full of conviction, his voice ringing with certainty.

This was intended to comfort the White Knight, but it was also a warning directed at the "Corrosion" within, signaling that they were prepared for any outcome and hoping to discourage a desperate move.

With that, Leo Ray gestured for the White Knight to take off the mask. Only by removing that barrier could they truly confront the entity face-to-face.

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Without a moment’s pause, the White Knight pulled away the mask, exposing his true countenance to the room.

“Is this what happens when one is infested by ‘Corrosion’?”

At the sight of the mangled face, the gathered experts—particularly those like Grey Elder who were seeing it for the first time—couldn't help but gasp in shock.

The face glowed with a malevolent deep blue light. It was gaunt and bloodless, smothered under a dense crust of dark blue crystals.

These clusters of crystals were wedged deep into the White Knight’s parched skin, pulsing with an eerie, unnatural radiance.

Where there were no crystals, the shriveled skin was mapped with bulging blue veins that resembled tangled vines creeping across a wall. Even his head was completely bald, covered only by that same withered flesh.

The White Knight’s eyes were the most disturbing feature; the eyeballs had turned to solid crystal. The whites were now a dark blue, while the pupils were a stark, empty white, giving him a vacant and haunting stare.

He was almost unrecognizable. Despite a lingering sense of warmth in those crystalline eyes, the physical transformation was so far removed from humanity that it sent a shiver down the spines of those watching.

“It is just like the infected Giant Dragons. No, seeing it on a human is far more gruesome. I fear his internal state is just as ravaged.”

Grey Elder’s expression turned grim, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his blade. Even with his vast experience, he had never seen such a sight; it was like looking at a mutated corpse that had just risen from the grave.

Leo Ray maintained his composure as he studied the horrific face. “White Knight, are you able to speak with it now? Has it shown any desire to communicate?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty, but I feel nothing. It is the same as it has been for the last millennium.”

The White Knight closed his eyes, focusing for a moment before shaking his head in disappointment. “Since that first encounter, it has remained silent. If Your Majesty hadn't explained the nature of ‘Corrosion,’ I wouldn't even be certain it was still there.”

“Considering how ‘Corrosion’ functions as a parasite, it is certainly still within you. You share a physical symbiosis.”

Leo Ray knit his brows together, concluding, “It seems it has no intention of revealing itself.”

The allies standing by also looked troubled.

If the entity refused to talk, their preparations would lead to a dead end.

The key to surviving the Great Catastrophe was understanding the enemy. Without a way to study this force, their chances of victory were slim.

“It appears we must force the issue.”

Leo Ray glanced at Xiao Jing, who understood immediately. She released a surge of potent golden energy that flowed directly into Leo Ray.

Leo Ray then turned his palm upward, and a brilliant purple magical light began to crackle, causing the sound of distant heavenly thunder to vibrate through the hall.

“I know you are watching everything in silence.”

Leo Ray nodded toward the White Knight before speaking with cold indifference. “You must realize that the White Knight is safe today, but you are not. The moment I strike, you will be erased instantly.”

Leo Ray’s tone grew darker as he continued, “What is it? Would you prefer death over a conversation? If so, why have you clung to the White Knight for a thousand years?”

There was still no reply. Seeing the silence continue, Leo Ray wasted no more words. Just as he prepared to launch his attack, the White Knight suddenly crumpled to the floor.

A moment later, the White Knight stood back up, but his gaze had turned cold and predatory.